The Not a Book Club Club discussion

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Stand Alone vs. Series

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message 1: by Dara (new)

Dara (cmdrdara) This is the first stand alone novel we've read. Do you have a preference to series vs stand alone?

I tend to read series because I feel like most SFF novels are series. I love spending multiple books with characters and exploring the worlds the authors have created. Stand alone novels are a great break, though. Sometimes it's nice to know there's a beginning, middle, and end and I don't have to wait 6 years for the next book (cough cough *you all know who I mean* cough cough).


message 2: by Mpauli (new)

Mpauli | 241 comments Why so series?^^ Okay, I just couldn't pass this one up. :P

But it's the same for me. Although I tend to diversify my reading, I want to have that bond with a story that continues over several novels.
It's the same with tv shows vs. movies. I seldomly watch movies anymore, cause they are "just" 2 hours of one day and can't simply compare with the bond of a tv show I watch for years.

And although the waiting is annoying, if you start with a new series and the last books haven't been written, in the end the waiting is part of the bonding.


message 3: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
I wish there were more stand alone novels I wanted to read. I'd prefer not to be reading so many ongoing series at once, but I just can't help myself.


message 4: by Linette (new)

Linette | 135 comments Rob wrote: "I wish there were more stand alone novels I wanted to read. I'd prefer not to be reading so many ongoing series at once, but I just can't help myself."

So true, Rob. I'm the same.

I do like some stand alone books (like Tigana), but a series gives more opportunity for the story to develop a much larger story arc, and to get to know the world and characters in depth - it's hard for a stand alone to reach the same level of reader immersion that a series can.

Plus I like to visit old friends - when a good book ends it makes me happy to know I'll spend time with the characters again.


message 5: by terpkristin (new)

terpkristin I've yet to read a book with this club so my opinion barely matters. I would love to find more stand-alone things but the way things go in these genres is series.

That said, I hated Tigana (well, what I read of it, I abandoned it), so I'm hoping to find more standalone books that are better. ;) I know Tad Williams has some standalone works that I would live to check out when I have time.


message 6: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
I'm moving this to General since it's a broader question than just Tigana.

Some of my favorite stand alone novels (off the top of my head and in no particular order):

The Shadow of the Wind
Snow Crash
Alif the Unseen
Ready Player One


message 7: by Linette (new)

Linette | 135 comments Although it works as a stand alone, Shadow of the Wind is actually the first book in the The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. LOL.
Now that I think about it, both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery). Probably says something about me.

Loved Ready Player One!! Planning to read Snow Crash next year.


message 8: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
No. It WAS stand alone. He wrote a sequel, because everyone does when something is popular. There is no need for one. I still haven't bothered to read it.


message 9: by Linette (new)

Linette | 135 comments I read the second one...won't bother with the third.


message 10: by Mark (new)

Mark | 482 comments Had a think about this and a quick look through my read shelf, came up with.

Grunts! by Mary Gentle a really funny book.
The City by Stella Gemmell a new one


message 11: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
Linette wrote: "I read the second one...won't bother with the third."

There is a third one? Man. I wish people would leave well enough alone. It's one thing to plan to do a series, but quite another to tack on a sequel due to the popularity of the original work.


message 12: by Dara (new)

Dara (cmdrdara) Can you guys give more recommendations for stand alone books? I can't think of the last book I read that was stand alone.


message 13: by Dara (new)

Dara (cmdrdara) Thanks, Alex!


message 14: by Geoff (new)

Geoff (geoffgreer) Linette wrote: "both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery)"

Most of the time with mystery series, its one case/crime/killer per book and any book in the series could be read standalone.


message 15: by Juniper (new)

Juniper (juniperx) I enjoy both, but series can become tiresome unless they are planned for carefully. I also find it frustrating to need to finish a set of books if I don't like them enough.


message 16: by Linette (new)

Linette | 135 comments Geoff wrote: "Linette wrote: "both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery)"

Most of the time with mystery series, its one case/crime/killer per book and any book in the series could be ..."


That's often true, Geoff. The mystery series I really like though are the ones that have an over-reaching story arc across the series, where a plotline builds with each new book, etc. I'm not much into the ones that can be read in any order.


message 17: by Juniper (new)

Juniper (juniperx) Then of course there are stand-alones I wish were part of a series because I love the characters and the setting so much I want to follow them closely over a longer time than the book allows.

Also, some authors who write series are so brilliant you wish they would write more separate stories, because you are so curious of what else they can cook up.


message 18: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
Kat wrote: "Then of course there are stand-alones I wish were part of a series because I love the characters and the setting so much I want to follow them closely over a longer time than the book allows.

Also..."


Off-topic, but Kat did you see my wall post? I've been dying for a response. :P


message 19: by Mpauli (new)

Mpauli | 241 comments Rob wrote: "Off-topic, but Kat did you see my wall post? I've been dying for a response. :P"

Oh I saw that yesterday and watched the video. Kat definately needs to elaborate on that.^^


message 20: by Juniper (new)

Juniper (juniperx) Wall post? No, what wall post? I can't find it on your wall.


message 21: by Mpauli (new)

Mpauli | 241 comments I think it's on your wall.^^


message 22: by Juniper (new)

Juniper (juniperx) Oh, on my wall? I haven't received a notification. I saw it now. I'll watch it and get back to you.


message 23: by Linette (new)

Linette | 135 comments Is it very sad that I actually liked the song? (I watched yesterday too). :)


message 24: by Mpauli (new)

Mpauli | 241 comments And to connect it to the topic, we could discuss, if we prefer series, where you can get into at any point, or the ones you need to read in...wait fo it...gnomerical order. :P


message 25: by Juniper (new)

Juniper (juniperx) What an adorable song! Of course there are gnomes in Sweden. Everyone knows they hide under rocks, trees and in mountains or such when there are people nearby. We also have rumpnissar, as Ronja can confirm.

Alex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwXew...


message 26: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new)

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
^_^

I immediately thought of you when I saw it. I'm like 'I need to get an official opinion on the matter. Ooh! I know someone whose Swedish!"

We now return you to your book discussion thread, already in progress.


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